Harleston Magpies Men’s 1st team match report

Harleston Magpies Men’s 1sts sponsored by Dynamic Shop entertained Letchworth, a side sitting two places below them in mid table.

Magpies started brighter, maintaining possession and creating several early openings. Shortly into the first half the bright start paid dividends with Magpies earning a penalty stroke, which was duly converted by Ben Wright. Letchworth hit back after a run down their right hand side culminated in a cut back, which was slotted past keeper John Livings. Magpies responded well, with two goals to extend their lead to 3-1 – Ben Wright from a second penalty flick and Archie Winter on his return to the side following a period of absence due to school commitments.

The team were not able to build on this lead though and gain the resultant 3 goal cushion required, and after some Letchworth pressure a pass found its way through to a lurking Letchworth player who slotted it in under the keeper. Just before half-time, Magpies again hit back to extend their lead to 4-2 at the interval. Skipper Leigh Sitch, took advantage of a wide injection from a penalty corner, to place a clean strike in the bottom right of the Letchworth goal. The two goal lead at half time feeling like just rewards.

The second half was a more even game. Letchworth were the first to strike, pulling two goals back to level at 4-4, the equaliser being an unfortunate own goal. Magpies again responded through Archie Winter to take the lead with 7 minutes to go. However, a few minutes from full time Letchworth again equalised, converting a penalty stroke to round off a 5-5 draw and a pulsating game.

Magpies will be disappointed not to have closed out the game, after leading numerous times. Next week the team travel to Dereham in a re-arranged fixture.